Don't Starve Together: How to Enable Caves

Caves run on your existing Don't Starve Together server. You do not need a second server, and you do not need a new server token. Everything is done from your game panel.

Throughout this guide we use example ports. Replace them with your own:

• Main server port (example): 2475. This is the port already assigned to your server.
• New caves port (example): 2476. This is the port you will add in Step 2.

Step 1: Create a Backup

Always take a backup before changing any settings, so your world is safe if you need to undo a change.

1. Open the Backups tab in your game panel.
2. Click Create Backup and wait until it shows as completed.

Step 2: Add a Port for the Caves

The caves need their own port, separate from your main server port.

1. Open the Ports tab.
2. Add one additional port. Note the number you are given. In our example, this is 2476.

Step 3: Set the Caves Port

1. Open the Startup tab.
2. Find the field named Caves Port.
3. Enter the new port from Step 2 (example: 2476) and make sure it saves.

Do not enter your main server port here. The Caves Port must be the new port. The panel applies this port to the caves for you, so no file editing is needed.

Step 4: Restart and Wait

1. Go to the Console tab and click Restart.
2. Wait one to two minutes. The surface world loads first and the caves load right after it. Entering a sinkhole before the caves have finished loading will fail.

Once both worlds are up, players travel between the surface and the caves through sinkholes as normal.

Good to Know

• Cluster settings (server name, password, max players, game mode) can be changed in the Cluster Config tab, with no file editing needed.
• World settings for both the surface and the caves can be changed in the World Config tab.
• Mods and caves. If caves stop working after adding Workshop mods, remove the mods and add them back one at a time. Some mods break cave entry on dedicated servers even though they work fine when self-hosting.
• Server will not start at all. If the console shows E_INVALID_TOKEN, that is a separate server-token issue, not a caves problem. See our server token article or contact support.